Judson Douglas Knott

Jun 13

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August 21, 2020

It’s past time that I properly thank each and every one of you who have visited Judd’s on-line memorial and selflessly donated to Puppies Behind Bars. Here’s the reason behind my delay -

I fell and broke my left femur in 3 places on May 5th, had... moreIt’s past time that I properly thank each and every one of you who have visited Judd’s on-line memorial and selflessly donated to Puppies Behind Bars. Here’s the reason behind my delay -

I fell and broke my left femur in 3 places on May 5th, had surgery to insert a 16” rod and several screws in my leg and hip, and was in the hospital for two weeks. I was home only 3 weeks before Judd had his cardiac arrest on June 8th. Thank goodness Rachael and Evan came to help me because I was confined to a wheelchair and could NOT take care of myself at that time! One of the kids stayed to take care of me ever since June 8th.

Cary left today; so now I’m truly alone. In the past 2.5 months I’ve graduated from wheelchair to walker and now to cane. Doctor says I’ve got another 3 months of healing. It’s really hard grieving when my body won’t let me be as active as I normally am! But this isn’t about me …

Judd was my best friend. I loved him with all my heart but sometimes I didn’t like him very much! I guess that’s what happens when you’re married as long as we were. He was one of the smartest people I ever knew and I loved brain-storming ideas with him. I was always proud of him and felt he made me work hard to be the best I could be.

He was hard-headed, too. He always told me NOT to let him walk all over me because he'd try ... I kept my part of the bargain!

I always thought we were complements and between us we could take on the world. In a lot of respects we were complete opposites … he was a night person and I, a morning person. He loved seafood and I wouldn’t eat it! He wasn’t afraid to try to fix things and I am mechanically incompetent. He loved the sun and hot weather and I burned, blistered and peeled!

Judd loved babies – thank goodness we had 4 babies and they gave us 9 grand babies. I’ve told all 13 of them that PeePaw will live through each and every one of them.

I MISS HIM SO MUCH!!!!

Jo

P.S. I’ve added a picture of Judd and me at the top of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. It was taken during our last adventure – a river cruise in April, 2019. less

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July 24, 2020

Judd Knott was a good friend and colleague when we worked together at NASA’s Langley Research Center in the early 1980’s. He and I were tasked with developing system software for an experimental parallel computer called the Finite Element Machine,... moreJudd Knott was a good friend and colleague when we worked together at NASA’s Langley Research Center in the early 1980’s. He and I were tasked with developing system software for an experimental parallel computer called the Finite Element Machine, which the Structures and Dynamics Division was building to explore ways to tackle a certain class of very large engineering problems. We were one of several groups around the world who were working in the emerging field of parallel computing, and this was truly research: there was no instruction book on how to do this, so we were making things up as we went along. It was a very challenging project, sort of a baptism by fire for those of us who were trying to make it work, but it launched a number of young researchers into successful careers in what eventually became known as High Performance Computing.

“FEM”, as we called it, was being fabricated and assembled in-house at Langley at the same time as we were developing the software for it. As with many of these research computers, the hardware was flakey and we spent much of our time fooling around with logic analyzers trying to figure out why our code wouldn’t run the way it should have. My background was heavy on software and theory, so Judd’s hands-on experience with naval electronics, coupled with his newly-minted CS degree from ODU, made him a particularly valuable member of our team. Judd’s great sense of wry humor helped lighten up the days when we were struggling with particularly knotty hardware or software or bureaucratic problems.

Judd was deeply committed to his work, but it was always apparent that his highest priorities were home and family. The Knotts lived not too far from us in Norfolk, so we got to know Jo and the kids, too. Judd and I were in the same carpool with a couple of other NASA folks from Norfolk, so that gave us a bit more time to connect beyond the focused activities of our jobs. On days when Judd was driving, he would often swing by my house to pick me up and would sometimes have Evan, just a little fella then, strapped into the carseat in the back on his way to a drop-off at day care or pre-school. Even at that age, you could tell that Evan was a chip off the old block who could keep his dad mightily entertained and confounded. I’m betting he kept that up in the ensuing years.

While I had not seen Judd in person since our NASA days, we have kept in touch with the Knotts through our annual Christmas letters so have some sense of what they’ve been up to and how the family has grown and thrived. Judd has left this world much too soon and our condolences go out to Jo, Travis, Cary, Rachel, Evan, and all the rest of the family. You were fortunate indeed to have him while he was here. less

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Cary Plotkin Tom, I remember riding home with you and Dad a few times when Rachael and I had access to an after school camp. I am so glad you reached out. Dad would have been pleased to hear from you. When I saw your name, I shouted, "Tom!". Very glad to hear from... see more
- July 25, 2020

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July 14, 2020

Judd truly was a great guy. He helped to usher me into the UNC family during my time there and was gracious with both his time and his wisdom. I offer the family my most sincere condolences. Rest in peace Judd...

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July 10, 2020

Dear Judd’s family,

My friends and colleagues have provided, and will no doubt continue to provide, a number of stories about how Judd helped our work, our individual lives and careers, IT at UNC, and UNC overall. All heartfelt and true, and moving -... moreDear Judd’s family,

My friends and colleagues have provided, and will no doubt continue to provide, a number of stories about how Judd helped our work, our individual lives and careers, IT at UNC, and UNC overall. All heartfelt and true, and moving - he had a significant, positive impact on all of us. And it is so wonderful to relive some of them and also to hear your stories that most of us weren’t aware of. They move us all and remind us of the unique qualities that Judd brought to his work, the community, and our lives.

I could share more such stories, and will if you are interested (like driving around the at-the-time-new traffic roundabout at NC751 and Erwin Road, in a state car, about 50 times without stopping) - but others are recounting those and Judd’s impact much better than I could. What I want to make sure you know is that Judd also shared some of his personal life - his love of and pride in each one of you - at work.

I’m rambling on … but I so very fondly remember and value the aspects of Judd’s family life and events that he brought to work. The very concept of a work family, and responsibility for his ‘team’ - informed by his experiences with you - and the stories he would share. The joy that he exuded as he talked about your engagements, weddings, births of grandchildren - with photos and stories!! I remember starting a number of meetings with a run through of the latest wedding or grandkid photos. And house projects, and Jo’s career, and Heidi! And the music!! One of you referenced his eclectic (and broad) base of musical interests - we heard about those. And listened to many different artists, because of him.

I left Stanford in 2012, but we stayed in touch. I came across an email from him, from 2014, where he very proudly shared “We had our 9th (and last) grandchild born on the 4th of July, Helen Marie Knott, 9 lbs. 2oz., 22-1/2 in. Now we can field a baseball team!” That is SO Judd. Even if we never met most of you, we all felt so connected.

Judd had such a keen bullshit-o-meter: he knew when something smelled wrong, and he did what he could to address it, not crossing lines (well, okay - not too often) but keeping his eye on the end-goal, even when leaders didn’t. He was wronged by a number of decision makers along the way - but he kept plugging on, doing what needed to be done. He was dedicated, principled, fair, honest … and also fun. We will all miss him. To echo Harry, may his memory be eternal. less

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Cary Plotkin I cannot speak for the rest of the family, but I LOVE this letter to us.. And I'd love any work stories people want to provide. We have tons of home stories, too, but I don't know what I can share
- July 11, 2020

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July 10, 2020 · via iPhone

I had not had the pleasure of meeting him, but he was clearly a wonderful person, and being in the neighborhood, saw you all cheering a couple of times for hc workers. And what a lovely organization we can support in his name. My condolences.

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July 7, 2020

I had the privilege of working for and working with Judd for some time at Chapel Hill. He had so much energy and optimism. He was always looking into problems and finding solutions or answers. He worked on our RSA (two-factor) solution at Carolina, our... more

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July 7, 2020

When the COVID outbreak hit Italy in early March, I called Dad and said, “Get ready. If it hits NYC, we are coming to you.” He didn’t bat an eye.

He and Mom accepted all the Amazon shipments of food, bedding, office supplies and seeds that I... more

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Cary Plotkin Love this, thanks for sharing! I didn't know y'all were out there nightly.. I'm hoping more people post pictures that I didn't even know existed - like these.
- July 7, 2020
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July 6, 2020

Running with Dad and my sisters in the inaugural Raleigh Rock N Roll (half) marathon. I still wear my "Team Pepaw" shirt 6 years later. Love you forever, Dad!

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Karen McCollough I love it! "Team PePaw!" Very cool indeed. Thank you for sharing this.
- July 7, 2020
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July 6, 2020

Like all of us, I was deeply saddened to learn of Judd's passing. Having worked with him for many, many (many!) years, I valued his judgment, his expertise, his leadership, and his patience (which he often needed more than the other three attributes).... more

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July 6, 2020

Mr. Knott was patient with me as an undergrad, supportive of me as a grad student and welcoming when I returned to the university full-time. He was one of many bright personalities who made the university a wonderful place to work. My deepest condolences... more

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July 6, 2020

I met Judd back in the 90's while working at NCSU. He was fun, he made you think and he supported your ideas. I also was pleased to see him at various concerts in the Durham area in later years. A good man gone too soon. As we say in the Greek... more

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July 6, 2020

So sad to hear this. I was honored to work with him. So smart and very kind. Whenever I saw him he always remembered my son's name and asked after him. Judd always nudged us all towards better things, without making it sound like tedious work. He had a... more

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July 6, 2020 · via iPhone

Judd and Tom raise Jackie’s tent like the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima.

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July 6, 2020 · via iPhone

Judd usually brought several of his grandchildren to Emerald Isle. He got up early in the morning to surf-cast with them. This “smiling fish” was soon back in the ocean.

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July 6, 2020

Judd was formidable, and didn't suffer fools gladly. I always made sure I had my stuff wired down tight before talking to him! This is exactly the kind of person you want to work with. A wry sense of humor and a funny way of appreciating and pointing out... more

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July 6, 2020

Judd was a mentor and role model at many stages of my life and my career. Everyone who knew him and worked with him knew they could count on him as a leader, a supporter, a cheerleader, and a defender. He was a joy to know, and I am so grateful to have known him.

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July 6, 2020

... A mensch with a twinkle in his eye and a wry, dry wit that could make me chuckle over and over again at the memory of what he'd said. I'm too sad to do that now, but I know the good memories will come back and I'll be smiling about them again.... more

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Chuck Crews These pictures are from the opening of the 'new' ITS Franklin data center in June 2005.
- July 6, 2020
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Cary Plotkin When you think of those stories, please add them! I'm seeing pictures and reading stories of my dad that I didn't know existed
- July 6, 2020
- · 3 like this

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July 6, 2020

Judd fought to keep my group employed many years ago, and, at least partially, I can credit him for my being here at UNC for the last decades.

Today would have been a day he loved. One summer I ran into him while walking the alley back to campus from... more

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July 6, 2020 · via iPad

I cannot say how much I feel the loss of Judd.
As many of you know, I owe so much of what I’ve been able to do to Judd. He was my boss for a good while leading up to SunSITE and the SunSITE years. He lead the group for the year I was at UVa and... more

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July 6, 2020

Here's a better photo:

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July 6, 2020

Here's Judd on our trip to Amsterdam last April. We found a small carnival set up in the nearby town. It had several rides that Judd's grandchildren, Lucy and Claire, were excited about. One ride flung you six stories up in the air on a rotating arm. You... more

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Jesse Safir That's an amazing and awesome story and brings a smile to my face. I can totally see Judd doing exactly that!!
- July 6, 2020
- · 2 like this

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